In recent years, equine welfare activists have shed light on serious issues in the horse
world, from soring in Tennessee Walking Horses, to illicit drug use in racehorses, and the
controversial presence of carriage horses in Central Park in New York City. While great
strides have been made in improving the health and well-being of animals of these breeds
and disciplines, there remains an alarming numbers of practices that occur with frightening
frequency in many other sectors of the horse industry. Despite the tail being one of the areas
of the horse that is frequently altered to enhance appearance of the animal, practices that
change the function and position of the tail are commonly overlooked in welfare discussions.
Tail carriage is something that varies dramatically from breed to breed, from the low, quiet
carriage of the Quarter Horse to the long flowing upright carriage of the Saddlebred and
other gaited breeds. Unfortunately, many of these animals have had procedures performed
that alter the way that they hold their tails, and in many cases affect the ability of the animal
to use its tail.

Practices that alter tail carriage and function are strongly opposed by many breed associations and groups of veterinary professionals, including the American College of Veterinary
Perhaps the most dangerous of these procedures is
the cruel and potentially life-threatening administration of
epidural or paravertebral alcohol blocks to create the appearance of a quiet, relaxed tail. Colloquially known as “tail
blocking,” this practice is most often performed in horses
in western disciplines, such as western pleasure or reining,
where animals are penalized in the show ring for wringing
of the tail, excessive side to side movement of the tail, or for
holding the tail in an upwards position. Although it is most
frequently performed in Western performance breeds, other
breeds have also been subjected to this procedure.